Women in the mining sector are calling on the government to hasten the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill to law. The women say that its passage will solidify their involvement in the mining sector as their voices will be heard.
They spoke to Citi Business News at the Women in Mining 2019 workshop and reception in Accra.
Since 1998, after the turbulence of military interventions which abrogated the 1960 Affirmative Action law, renewed efforts to pass the Affirmative Action Law in Ghana have not yielded positive results.
The bill is in its Draft stage.
The final draft of the Bill received cabinet approval in 2016, but was not tabled in Parliament and, therefore, did not reach the consideration stage before the end of the 6th Parliament of the 4th Republic.
The bill which aims to give legal backing to promote inclusion and gender equality in Ghana appeared eight times.
Independent Consulting Geologist and Environmental Scientist, Aries Yaayaa Blankson insists the bill must be passed to re-structure and favour women in the mining space.
“Now we have so many females getting into the male-dominated industry. So what do we do to make sure that these women are comfortable and able to do their job? The government can put out the policy but if it doesn’t get down to the corporate level we are doing nothing,” she said.
National President of Women in Mining Ghana, Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo stressed on financial constraint being the most challenge experienced by women in the industry.
Meanwhile, responding to the issues regarding the affirmative action bill, Deputy Minister of Mines, Naana Eyiah assured that her ministry will work to hasten the passage of the bill.
“I am going to speak to my minister on what to do to help. Very soon it will be done and there will be laws to back it,” she assured.